| A Word From our Officer |
|
Salaam Alaikum everyone! I'm Kumail Merchant, and I've been and a UMF member/officer for about six months now. Through the organization, I have worked on over ten events and have volunteered over 50 hours of time at various places, such as Westminster Care, Hubbard House, and Meals on Wheels.
The United Muslim Foundation has some of the most caring and dedicated people I have ever met. Through the 18 years of my life, I have never been part of a group with so many kind-hearted people within it. They have brought out the best in me and have taught me that one person can make a difference in the world.
As a UMF officer, my job is to plan and execute events that will better the community. Once a community need has been identified, the UMF designs a project that will help solve the need. It could be anything from feeding the homeless to collecting money for hurricane victims. Once the design is complete, the officers call members and advertise the event in order to get volunteers. When the volunteers are confirmed, the officer leads the event, making sure it runs smoothly. At times, it can be a very hard job, but in the end, it's worth the effort.
The United Muslim Foundation is so focused on helping others that it makes you believe that a group of people with a dream can make a difference in the world. Because I believe that we can change the world, I continue to volunteer my time to promote unity in the hopes that one day, the world will live in peace and harmony.
UMF would like to congratulate Officer Kumail Merchant on graduating Salutatorian from Timber Creek High School on May 15th, 2007. Kumail plans to continue his education at the University of Central Florida, getting a BA in Molecular Biology, and possibly going on to Medical School. |
|
This month's UMF sponsor |
|
Osman Solutions
Business & Residential Computer Service Specialists
Fast, On-Site service, Data back-up & recovery
Repair all servers, Web support, Software & Hardware support
Network/Firewall/Wireless ConfigurationSupport
Service and repair all major brands
Best price in town
Please Contact Osman at 321-946-4637 or e-mail at osmanal@aol.com
|
|
Attn. Muslim Businesses |
|
UMF is now offering the opportunity to advertise in our e-newsletters at a rate of $25 per newsletter. Ads will also be placed on the UMF homepage for about a month. A maximum of one ad. will be placed per newsletter to help your business stand out. For more information, please contact us at info@unitedmuslimfoundation.org | |
|
| Salaam Alaikum, Peace be with You |
UMF is excited to announce a new volunteer incentive program that we are testing for the rest of this year. We are offering Salaam Alaikum, Peace be with You the first 3 people who sign up for and volunteer at any UMF event the opportunity to each choose an approved charitable cause that promotes Unity, Education or Charity to which UMF will donate $50 per volunteer.
We're making a difference one step at a time.
|
| Tampa IEC Arson |
United Muslim Foundation Directors visited the Islamic Education Center and their Managing Committee to discuss how UMF can help the
Tampa mosque that was set on flames April 12th. The mosque was not insured.
"While CAIR has already stepped up to the plate (click on picture for more information) UMF plans to support the mosque financially, and target the mosque's zip code to deliver information about the mosque's destruction as well as information on Islam. This will help to open up a channel for the general population in the area to voice their comments on the arson, donate toward the mosque and have the opportunity to learn more about Islam and clarify any misconceptions they may have." says President Masuma Virji.
If you would like to donate toward the mosque, or the education campaign please mail your tax-deductible contributions to: United Muslim Foundation, P.O. Box 952934, Lake Mary, FL. 32795 and make sure to mark your cause on the check. |
| UMF's First Muslim Youth Networking BBQ |
United Muslim Foundation would like to invite all Muslim youths to our first ever Muslim Youth Networking Bar-B-Q which will feature an Iron Chef Cookoff. This event is the brainchild of and is co-sponsored by Br. Abdullah Zeini and the 'Yoot Group'. The BBQ cookoff will be a good way to relax post-exams, have some fun and network with youths from other Muslim communities around Orlando.
The event will be held at Alaqua Lakes in Longwood from 5-8pm on Friday May 18th and will be open to youths ages 35 and under. Maghrib/Isha Salaat facilities will be available for those who wish to pray at a member residence in the neighborhood.
We are looking for one gentleman and one lady to represent each community they are coming from in the cookoff. The contestants will be grouped into a girls team and a boys team comprised of members from all the different Muslim Groups and all will be able to keep in touch via e-mail before the event so thay can discuss recipies they can use at the cookoff. On the day, they will have time to marinate whatever is given to them (chicken, beef of ground beef - it's a secret :) from 5pm-6pm, cookoff from 6pm-7pm and enjoy the rest of the evening eating and relaxing (maybe even playing basketball or tennis on the courts on site).
RSVP latest Friday 11th May to info@unitedmuslimfoundation.org with the number of attendees and names , e-mail addresses and phone numbers of the Cookoff participants. Gate access instructions and directions to the park will be e-mailed upon receipt of RSVP. Modest clothing must be observed (no shorts or tight fitted, low cut tops please). Entrance fee is one item of non-perishable or canned food for donation to the needy, per person.
To order the cool apron pictured, click on the image! |
| UMF helps fight Multiple Sclerosis |
 Help UMF fight against the devastating effects of Multiple Sclerosis by joining us in volunteering at the Rose Garden Pavilions in Allentown, PA to make the 2007 MS Walk the most successful ever!
The event will take place on Sunday, May 6, 2007, from 7 am-3 pm at Rose Garden Pavilions, Honochick Rd., Allentown, PA 18104. We need volunteers to help set-up, check in walkers, provide relief at rest stops, hand out prizes, count money, cheer on participants and much more! You may come at any time and stay for as long as you like. If you have any other questions, please contact Sr. Nausheen Habib at nausheen@unitedmuslimfoundation.org |
| UMAA Annual Convention - Memorial Day Weekend |
The 5th Annual UMAA Convention will be held May 25-27, 2007 in Virginia, USA and will focus this year on 'The Future of Muslims in America'.
Universal Muslim Association of America (UMAA) seeks to provide a forum to foster unity among Muslims, to encourage Muslims to participate in the civic and political responsibilities, to dispel misgivings about Islam and the Muslims and help fellow Americans better understand Islam in the light of Qur'an and the teachings and practice of the Prophet Muhammad (s) and his Ahlul Bayt (a), and to take all necessary measures to help implement the UMAA Objectives that, among other things, include social, religious, economic and political advancement of Muslims in America.
| |
| United Muslim Foundation and University of Florida |
UMF was proud to be a sponsor of the University of Florida Foundation event on April 26th to bring forth the prospects and promise of a Center for Near and Middle East Studies at UF. This center would integrate various aspects of culture, history, language and current issues and help the students who graduate from the program gain a wealth of information on the near and middle East not only by learning from distinguished professors in the field but also by gaining exposure to the local people in the near and middle east through possible travel abroad and exchange programs.
UMF believes this program has the potential of bridging the ever widening communication gap between the West and the East and bringing about greater understanding and peace among nations.
The event was attended by many Muslims and non-Muslims and the audience had the pleasure of hearing from Professor Hamid Mavani who spoke on Muslims in the American Mosaic. Pictured above is Mrs. Linda Wells with Prof. Hamid Mavani and UMF President Masuma Virji. |
| CAIR Community Picnic brings 500 Muslims together |
On April 14th about 500 members of the central Florida Muslim community turned on Saturday for CAIR-Orlando's annual picnic. Picnickers were able to receive free legal advice on immigration issues, test their Islamic knowledge, play games and take part in other recreational activities.
UMF volunteers were at hand to help register new members and monitor and help children at the bouncehouse. They had the pleasure of meeting new people and enjoyed the delicious food and fun participating in Islamic Jeopardy.
|
| Officer Nausheen Reports From Camelot |
 We had a great day spending time with the kids at Camelot for Children at Allentown Saturday, April 28. You could see the smile on these kids' faces and see how much they appreciated our time. May Allah accept and grant us all sawaab for this little deed we have performed and grant us more opportunities inshallah.
The mission of Camelot for Children, Inc., a non-profit organization, is to be a gathering place for seriously, chronically and terminally ill, handicapped or disabled children; To foster an environment of emotional support among these special children and their families; To provide opportunities for these special children to interact with each other in a family/home setting; and to help develop their physical and mental abilities. |
| Officer Mohammed Reports on Walk America |
The weather on Sunday April 29th was very nice - perfect for a long walk! We had 5 members participate and, Alhamdulillah, raised a total of $551 for the March of Dimes. The walk itself was 5 miles with 3 stations in between where walkers could get refreshments and goodies to "fuel up" for the rest of the walk.
The money we raised helps fund research to find out why premature birth happens and what can be done to prevent it. Premature birth is the #1 cause of newborn death and the biggest threat to babies' health today. |
| Report on MSA East Zone Conference |
On April 6th-8th, UMF volunteers set up a booth at the MSA East Zone Conference and networked with varous local Muslim organizations and individuals.
The theme of the conference was 'Renewing Hope, Seeking God, Serving Society.' Many students attended from all over the country and heard speakers like Imam Zaid Shakir and were entertained by Baba Ali and a magic show performance. | |
